Updated Jun 26, 2024, 22:49 IST
Amid the ongoing economic crisis in Greece, the country is set for a bold move to introduce a six-day work week starting July 1, even though the global trend points to a shift towards a four-day work week. The six-day workweek is still prevalent in certain industries, particularly in countries like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and India.
(Photo: Unsplash/ Representational)
Amid the ongoing economic crisis in Greece, the country is set for a bold move to introduce a six-day work week, even though the global trend points to a shift towards a four-day work week. Starting July 1, private sector workers in Greece will have to work for six days a week, as work hours increase from 41 hours to 48 hours per week.
The move, which has seen increasing protests from the opposition, trade unions as well as public sector workers, like educators, transportation workers and workers in the medical field, among others, would make Greece the first EU country to do so. According to reports, the law was passed in Greece back in September 2023, as growing concerns over the country’s productivity took center stage. The labor policy update was approved after 158 out of the 300 legislators voted in favor.
The six-day workweek is still prevalent in certain industries, particularly in countries like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and India. However, in most countries, the work week is restricted to eight hours across five days a week. Some European countries, such as Belgium, has been experimenting with a four-day work week.
Read Full Article
“The new draft law imposes 13 hours of work per day and 78 hours of work per week,” said the Merchant Marine Union, as quoted by the Greek Reporter. “It abolishes breaks at work and weekends.”
Concerns Over Productivity Levels in Greece
Labor productivity in Greece significantly lags behind other OECD member states, standing at around a third lower than the OECD average. In 2022, Greece’s gross domestic product per hour of work was $34.5, compared to the OECD average of $53.8, representing just 64.1% of the OECD average.
Furthermore, relative to the Eurozone and the European Union, Greek productivity levels are notably lower, standing at just over half of the Eurozone productivity and lower than the EU productivity. Among European OECD members, Greece ranks last in terms of productivity levels and fourth from the bottom among all OECD member states.
Recent also data indicates a continuation of the trend, with productivity in Greece decreasing in the first quarter of 2024 to 98.48 points from 99.42 points in the fourth quarter of 2023. Furthermore, in December 2023, Greece experienced a year-on-year decrease in labor productivity by 0.13%.
Source link : https://www.timesnownews.com/world/europe/greece-adopts-6-day-work-week-how-does-it-compare-worldwide-article-111268015/amp
Author :
Publish date : 2024-06-25 22:03:29
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
